This American Life

869: Harold

October 5, 2025

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  • The lukewarm reception of modern unconventional Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani by the establishment mirrors the historical backlash faced by Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor, suggesting a recurring pattern when charismatic outsiders challenge the political machine. 
  • Harold Washington's election was revolutionary because, unlike other ethnic political victories, his ascent as the first Black mayor triggered immediate, race-based resistance from the white political establishment, including desertion by white Democratic voters. 
  • Despite Washington's efforts to be 'fairer than fair' and focus on reform, his entire tenure was viewed through the prism of race by opponents, who distorted facts to play on white fears, a dynamic that persisted for years after his death. 

Segments

Mamdani Parallel to Washington
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(00:00:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The Democratic establishment’s resistance to Zohran Mamdani echoes the party’s prior treatment of Harold Washington after his primary victory.
  • Summary: Prominent New York Democrats, including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have not fully supported Zohran Mamdani following his primary win. This lukewarm response recalls the 1983 Chicago primary, where the Democratic Party turned against Harold Washington, leading a white Democrat to run against him as an independent. The opposition to Washington was rooted in race, while opposition to Mamdani centers on his views on Israel and progressivism.
Chicago Machine’s Inequities
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(00:03:11)
  • Key Takeaway: The pre-Washington Chicago Democratic machine systematically neglected Black wards, providing inferior services like garbage collection compared to white wards.
  • Summary: Black neighborhoods were treated as ‘colonies,’ struggling with basic services like garbage pickup, while white wards received better infrastructure investment. The machine also enforced segregation through policies like squeezing Black children into mobile trailers behind schools. Unemployment in the Black 4th ward was 25%, compared to 0% in the white 11th ward.
Washington’s Charisma and Debate Triumph
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(00:06:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Harold Washington’s articulate, forceful performance in televised primary debates against Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley was pivotal in gaining Black community support.
  • Summary: Washington was described as charismatic, smart, and a great talker, contrasting sharply with the dull truisms offered by his opponents. He directly addressed issues like police misconduct, sounding like a human being who knew the facts. His skill was compared to watching Michael Jordan play basketball, thrilling the Black electorate.
Race and Political Double Standards
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(00:16:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Black candidates face a unique political chasm where expressing ethnic pride is deemed threatening, whereas other ethnic groups’ political mobilization is accepted as normal.
  • Summary: Washington’s blunt condemnation of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley as a racist was historic and provoked intense hatred from opponents. White Chicagoans feared Washington would usher in a ‘domino effect’ of demographic change, leading to white flight. When Black politicians asserted their right to power, it was labeled racism, unlike similar actions by Irish or Jewish politicians.
Primary Victory and General Election Fallout
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(00:24:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Following Washington’s primary victory, 90% of white Chicagoans abandoned the Democratic Party to support the Republican candidate, Bernie Epton.
  • Summary: The general election campaign was marked by overt racism, including white police circulating hate literature featuring racial slurs. Washington’s supporters were energized by his ability to transcend being just the ‘black candidate’ and adopt a superstar positioning. However, the white establishment’s fear manifested in hostility, such as the near-riot when Washington campaigned at St. Pascal’s Church.
Washington’s Governing Style and Council Wars
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(00:32:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Washington’s commitment to being ‘fairer than fair’ disappointed some Black activists who expected him to prioritize Black community advancement immediately.
  • Summary: Some activists wanted Washington to put Black people first, similar to how white mayors prioritized white communities, but Washington insisted on fairness for all wards. This commitment to reform led to the ‘Council Wars,’ where 29 white aldermen blocked his appointments and initiatives, demonstrating that the machine’s clout remained outside the mayor’s control.
Shifting Racial Politics Post-Washington
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(00:49:35)
  • Key Takeaway: By 2007, a decade after Washington’s death, white wards in Chicago showed a significant shift, with most voters willing to support a Black mayor, contrasting sharply with 1983.
  • Summary: While some overt racism persisted in 1997, by 2007, reporters found that most white Chicagoans would consider voting for a Black mayor, indicating a slow change in attitudes. Barack Obama’s success in carrying nearly all white wards in 2004 and 2008 demonstrated this political evolution in the city. However, activists noted that the movement died with Washington because it was too centered on one man.